The following cases were heard at Reading Magistrates’ Court:

October 1:

Andrew James Gainey, 30, of Kintbury Road, Newbury, admitted to six counts of theft from a shop and was sentenced to a total of 32 weeks in prison. He also admitted to commission of a further offence during the operational period of a suspended sentence and was sentenced in respect of the original offences, namely theft, assault and breach of a criminal behaviour order. He was also ordered to pay costs totalling £159.97.

Jamie Charles Alborough, 30, of South Street, Reading, admitted to failing without reasonable excuse to comply with the supervision requirements imposed following release from a period of imprisonment. He was fined £85.

Dominik Joblonski, 31, of Chester Street, Reading, denied driving a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road/in a public place without due care and attention. He was found guilty in his absence and fined £1,200. He was also ordered to pay costs of £775, a victim surcharge cost of £120 and was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for six months.

Michael John Howe, 31, of no fixed abode, admitted to theft from a shop, namely stealing a Nokia Media Device belonging to John Lewis to the value of £99. He was committed to prison for six weeks, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay compensation of £99 and costs of £85.

Izmir Shehi, 18, of Argyle Road, Reading, admitted to two counts of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class B, namely cannabis, and acquiring/using/possessing criminal property. He was committed to prison for a total of five months, suspended for 18 months. He must carry out 150 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months and take part in an accredited programme for 30 days. An order was made for the destruction of the drugs and a mobile phone.

October 2:

Robert David Potter, 44, of Chiltern Crescent, Earley, admitted to two counts of theft from a shop and received a community order. He received an Exclusion Requirement, namely not to enter Reading town centre for six months. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £85.

Bradley Trussler, 21, of Sycamore Road, Reading, admitted to assault by beating and received a community order. He must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 30 days and he must also carry out 80 hours of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay compensation of £100 and a restraining order was made by the court. He was also made to pay costs of £500 and a surcharge of £85.

October 3:

Mark Antonie Winfield, 50, of no fixed abode, denied and was found guilty of two counts of possessing a controlled drug of Class A, namely heroin and cocaine, and admitted to failing without reasonable cause to surrender to Reading Magistrates’ Court. He was fined £160, made to pay costs of £310 and a surcharge of £30. An order was made by the court for the destruction of the drugs.

Hilary Longa, 29, of Beatty Drive, Tilehurst, admitted to obstructing/resisting a constable in execution of duty and received a conditional discharge of six months. He also admitted to failing to provide a breath specimen for analysis and was fined £450. He was also disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 12 months and made to pay costs of £200.

Stephen Paul Carey, 58, of Oxford Road, Reading, denied assault by beating and using threatening/abusive words/behaviour or disorderly behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He was convicted of the offences and received a community order. He must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 15 days and made to pay costs of £600. He was also ordered to pay compensation of £75.

A fundamental principle of justice is that it must be seen to be done. It is established in the UK that court cases should be heard in public. This principle of open justice is acclaimed on a number of grounds: as a safeguard against judicial error, as a deterrent to perjury, to assist the deterrent function of criminal trials and to permit the revelation of matters of public interest.